Josephine Levin: HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR AN EARTHQUAKE OR MISSILE ATTACK

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Smoke from fires covers San Francisco after earthquake of 1906

Collapsed school El Salvador earthquake 

G-d commands us through the Torah to do everything possible to make our lives safe. Careless and reckless behavior leading to loss of life can be judged in His eyes as tantamount to murder.

If we are properly prepared, then lives and property can be saved when disaster strikes. Here are some simple steps we can take before there is a major disaster like an earthquake or missile attack: Note: If you are warned about an incoming missile attack you must seek cover in a security room, bomb shelter or in the most secure room in your home (inner room without outside walls) or seek shelter in a stairway.

Most people are injured in earthquakes by falling, glass, debris, plaster, electrical wires and other objects. Do not let anyone sleep next to glass windows. Replace glass windows with plastic or safety glass. Put clear contact paper over your glass windows to prevent them from shattering. This can save eyes and lives, as flying glass can sever arteries and veins leading to massive bleeding and death. Do not let anyone sleep under heavy pictures, bookshelves, electrical appliances, heavy lighting fixtures or ceiling fans. Bolt firmly to the wall all cupboards, bookcases, buffets and wardrobes. Do not assume that something is too heavy to fall. On the contrary the heavier the object is the harder it will fall crushing anyone in its path.

Unless you are on a ground floor bordering open space, you are probably better off not trying to run outside. You can be injured by falling objects and electrocuted by falling electrical wires. Take refuge under a strong wood table. Even if the ceiling collapses, you will have enough air space under the table to survive until you are rescued. Store under the table a few cartons of bottled water, canned food and can opener, first aid kit, flashlight with extra diapers and food for infants, tissues, wipes, transistor radio and batteries. A cell phone is also useful and a covered pail for a makeshift toilet. Hold practice drills, so your children will know what to do if you are not at home. You should also have tools available to pry open jammed doors, windows and to dig yourself out (folding spade, crowbar, hammer, saw, screwdriver and pliers). If you cannot take refuge under a table then stand in a doorway.

Walls, foundations, columns and pillars of our homes can be re-enforced to help prevent the collapse of buildings.

Fires are one of the biggest dangers of earthquakes and missile attacks, and may be prevented by the following:

Disconnect all electrical appliances (except the refrigerator) from the sockets before going to sleep or leaving home.

You should also have on hand a water hose or fire extinguisher to put out fires. Caution! A fire extinguisher can give off dangerous vapors if used in a small enclosed area. Bags of sand, salt, baking soda and cat litter can be used to smother fires. Never throw water on an electrical fire! Water will increase the intensity of the fire and you could be electrocuted. You must always shut off the electricity at the fuse box before attempting to extinguish an electrical fire. Immediately following an earthquake or missile attack, you should shut off the electricity and the gas, whether or not you decide to evacuate your home.

If you live on an upper floor and have safety bars on the windows and balconies, make sure that at least one of these can be opened to serve as an emergency exit if your door is jammed, or if there is fire or smoke in the corridor. If there is fire or smoke in the corridor do not open the door! You can be engulfed by flames or overcome by smoke. If there is smoke in the corridor, place a wet rag under the door to keep smoke from seeping in and open all your windows for air.

If there is a fire in your home that you cannot extinguish, you must leave immediately. Wrap yourselves and your children in wet blankets. Never try to walk downstairs from an upper floor if there is heavy smoke in the hall; you will be overcome by smoke inhalation and die long before you reach the bottom. Never try to use an elevator after an earthquake or missile attack, even if the electricity has not been cut off. So how can you escape? If your home does not have a fire escape, you should consider buying a nylon ladder, which can be thrown out of the window and used to evacuate your family.

You should have at least a month’s supply of ready-to-eat food and bottled water for any kind of emergency. Suitable items are canned vegetables, tuna, sardines, chick peas, baked beans, powdered or canned milk, granola, dried fruits and nuts, peanut butter, power bars, canned and bottled fruits and juices, baby food and formula, pet food, vitamins, crackers and biscuits. Remember you may be in a situation with no electricity, gas or running water. A portable cooking grill with either canned gas or charcoal is a must. Buy some water-proof matches from a camping store, or keep some matches in a water-proof container. If you have mung beans, alfalfa, wheat berries or whole barley you can make sprouts in order to get some fresh vegetables for vitamins. You should also have at least a month’s supply of any prescription drugs that you or your family members need. Remember roads may be damaged or closed.

You must have a way of purifying water, especially if you are not able to boil water. Buy water purification tablets or a special water filter from a camping store. If you have the opportunity, fill up your bathtub and other containers to store water. If you have no bottled water, you can use water out of the tank above your toilet, but you must purify it. Even if you still have running water in your pipes, it may be contaminated and will need to be purified. If you are rationing water, try to avoid eating very salty foods, as these will only increase your thirst.

In case you will be unable to heat your home, it is a good idea to have emergency blankets (available from camping stores). These are tiny enough when folded to fit in the palm of your hand, but can be opened to give necessary insulation and warmth.

It is a good idea to have sleeping bags and a tent and a 72 hour kits for each family member in case you have to evacuate your home.

72 hour Kits should contain ID, water, medicines, emergency blankets, underwear, power bars, small cans of food, water purification tablets and/or filter, flashlight, transistor radio, extra batteries, camping knife, wipes, toilet paper, compass, can opener, small portable spade, duct tape, water-proof matches and first aid kit

Enroll in a first aid course. Everyone should know how to stop bleeding, treat shock, dehydration, burns, make splints, etc., and to administer CPR (cardio- pulmonary resuscitation).

ABOVE ALL TRY TO REMAIN CALM. PANIC IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN DISASTERS.

Pray, read Psalms and trust the LORD to help you. If you can boil water, drink calming herbal teas like Chamomile, Sage, Lemon balm (Melissa), Verbena and Motherwort. At homeopathic pharmacies you can buy Motherwort Leonurus Cardiaca tincture- ad 10 drops to a glass of water for a mild tranquilizer.